Producer Oren Peli is claiming that the group Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl wrote him a letter praising him for his upcoming film ‘Chernobyl Diaries,’ TMZ is reporting. The director of ‘Paranormal Activity’ added that his new horror movie, set to hit theaters on Friday, was done with the utmost respect for the victims of the 1986 disaster. The children’s group praised him with admiration in its letter.
Peli insisted he has the support of Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl after claims that ‘Chernobyl Diaries’ is exploiting the 400,000 victims of the nuclear disaster. In a statement to TMZ, the filmmaker said he couldn’t disagree more that the film exploits anyone. “First of all, the criticism and accusations are coming from a group that has not seen the film, whereas conversely the praise for it is coming from those who have indeed seen it,” Peli said.
Peli, who also wrote ‘Chernobyl Diaries,’ denied he exploited the victims after the Friends of Chernobyl Centers U.S. previously criticized the film for sensationalizing the events. The group was also upset over the use of victims as violent mutants.
Peli lashed back, saying the villains of the movie aren’t mutated victims of the disaster, and the location is just a backdrop. He added that “the film, though fictional, may in fact shine a light on a tragedy too many have forgotten.”
Written by: Karen Benardello
